Chelsea opened the Premier League season with a 0-0 draw, failing to break down a stubborn Crystal Palace side at Stamford Bridge.
Enzo Maresca entered the new Premier League season with high expectations placed upon his Chelsea side.
The Blues won the Club World Cup over the summer, dismantling Paris Saint-Germain in a brilliant final performance.
Chelsea were looking for a fast start against Crystal Palace on Sunday, but could only manage a 0-0 draw.
Cole Palmer was a little off-colour as Chelsea struggled to break Palace down in a stalemate at Stamford Bridge.
Palace could have gone ahead in the first half as Eberechi Eze’s strike was ruled out by VAR, but neither side could find the breakthrough.
Chelsea v Crystal Palace - Premier League
Photo by Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images
Steve Sidwell on Chelsea wonderkid Estevao
Maresca will certainly be frustrated with how his side attacked against Palace.
Palmer just couldn’t really get himself into the game, Jamie Gittens was quiet on his Premier League debut, and Joao Pedro was starved of service.
One bright spark came from Estevao, with the Brazilian wonderkid coming on as a second-half substitute on the right flank.
Estevao certainly looked bright, showing off some impressive dribbling ability to bring a spark to Chelsea’s attack.
Estevao did blaze one shot over the bar when Pedro Neto looked better-placed for a shot, but the 18-year-old showed plenty of promise.
Pundit and former Chelsea midfielder Steve Sidwell was certainly impressed by Estevao, and highlighted one ‘impressive’ attribute.
Speaking to BBC Sport, Sidwell admitted that he loved seeing Estevao show upper-body strength to fend off Palace defenders.
Sidwell noted that Estevao appears to have a slight frame, but he has the physicality to keep hold of the ball in tight areas – something which should stand him in good stead in the Premier League.
“What has been impressive from Estevao is he only has a slight frame, and the two times he has got the ball, he has held players off. He has strong upper body strength,” said Sidwell.
Enzo Maresca on Estevao
Chelsea were flat in the final third against Palace, and Estevao was one of the few attackers to show flashes of real quality.
The teenager may face a wait for his first Premier League start, but Sunday’s cameo showed why Chelsea fans are so excited about him.
Chelsea boss Maresca has now praised Estevao, and has been quoted by BBC Sport as saying that he has shown a ‘top personality’ for Chelsea.
Maresca added a confident prediction, claiming that Estevao will become a ‘fantastic’ player for Chelsea in the future.
“The personality has been top. You can see that he is from Brazil, they are different and he is going to be a fantastic player for the club. We know about Cole [Palmer], Estevao needs time to adapt but he is going to be important for the team,” he added.
Estevao should earn plenty of playing time with European and cup competitions to come, but he may just knock on the door for more Premier League action if he keeps catching the eye off the bench.